Vol. 548 No. 5
87 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a long delay in the issuing of the FÁS safe pass cards for those construction workers who have successfully completed the FÁS safe pass programme; the action which will be taken to ensure that these cards are issued in view of health and safety issues on construction sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5417/02]
The training of construction workers and the issue of safe pass cards is a day-to-day matter for FÁS. I am informed by FÁS that commencing in September 2000, a total of 18,000 construction workers have participated in the FÁS safe pass training and received their safe pass cards. As many as 13,000 of these participants received training between 1 October 2001 and the end of January 2002.
The success of the programme reflects the commitment of employers and trade unions to improving safety on site. There has been an unprecedented demand for this training. I am assured by FÁS that, within four weeks, all safe pass cards will be issued within ten days of the completed verification of training being received by FÁS.
